Books that have rocked your world?

I am asked on an almost weekly basis to recommend books. It got me thinking, what books have rocked my world. You know the books that after reading changed the way you thought and forced you to examine how you see things. I am not talking about books that were fun, I am talking about the IMPORTANT books. For me it was: Dune, 1984, In cold blood, To kill a mockingbird, Vanity fair, The Book Thief.

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@AlexisSims The Count of Monte Cristo - taught me about deprivation, determination and revenge

The Last Unicorn - There are no happy endings. Granted, the movie probably impacted me more, I've watched it since i was 2 years old. But still, i've read the book multiple times.

And for some reason I am drawing a massive blank. I know I can name others... I'll ponder on my drive home and add more. ^_^

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I have never heard of The Last Unicorn. But I have seen a film of the Count of Monte Cristo and of course it featured in the film 'V for Vendetta" (one of my favourite films of all time)

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@AlexisSims O M G the last unicorn kind of shaped my world view and much of my writing. The movie, (I KNOW I KNOW, not book) made such an impression on me as a child. It is an animated movie, but unlike Disney, it is not a happy ending. I think kids grow up today watching Disney and expecting fairy tales, and that is not reality. It warps us to the idea that we will get a happy ending. "There are no happy endings, because nothing ends" - My favorite quote from the movie. The screen play was written by the author, which is the only reason I think this is pertinent to the conversation.

BACK ON TOPIC

I remembered on my way home.

The Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin seriously rocked my world. Social commentary on communism and capitalism, but written in the entertaining setting of a Science Fiction tale. I suggest it often to people who are politically minded and debating socialism and the like. ^_^

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Heard of Last Unicorn everywhere but haven't found a copy and I still have two hundred or so pages to go in Monte Cristo. I'm slightly inexperienced as reader still. With seventy books under my belt but most of those series.

Dune and Speaker of the Dead/ Xenocide were my sci fiction highlights

Mistborn was what made me realize that there was more to fantasy than wizards and I think Stormlight will do that once more.

I think my final shock was His Majesty's Dragon, odd as it may seem. I just love that book. Perhaps I'll add Misery as well for it showed me I could love horror even if it was well.... horrible.

Edit: I haven't read anything really deep yet but I'm also not the type to care.

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@Sekkan Don't let book snobs let you think that the cannon is the be all to end all- it is not, your books were really good. I too list Dune as deeply significant and Misery certainly had an impact on me. It was a real insight to that brand of dangerous crazy that does not stand out enough to be instutionalised and yet represents a real threat to all who know them. Truly terrifying. @dreamingthought You sold me it is on my massive list of must read before I die, Sekkan, you will find the book online. I found one book that was written 50 years ago and did not sell in massive quantities even then. It cost me a bit to get it but I found it in one on line store in NEW ZEALAND- of all places! Again The Dispossessed is one I have never heard of- what is it about?

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@Sekkan On the Last Unicorn. The library and used bookstores are your friend. ^_^ Granted, its a fairly old book, and likely only popular amongst children of the late 70s/early 80s like myself who watched the movie.

As a fellow fantasy fan, I think the writers of the 70s are extremely important to read, though. Ground breaking stuff, which shaped later works you're likely reading. I had older readers who suggested a lot of good fantasy and science fiction to me as a kid.

Mistborn. I've heard of it... don't know it though. *googles* Ah published in the 2000s. I haven't read much fantasy in the last decade. XD I lean towards YA, classics and contemporary authors these days.

I would read Dune, but i have such a limited attention span, and am a slow reader. My days of reading 500 page novels were over in my teens.

Misery, I really should read the book. I adore the movie. Horror, as terrible as it can be, can also be a beautiful genre if done right. XD

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@AlexisSims

have you read any Ursula LeGuin? Left Hand of Darkness? It's often covered in college courses. It's a commentary on genders. I haven't read it myself

The Dispossessed - it's a scifi story about a young man living on a moon where they practice communism. Everyone has to work, and rotates shifts between work and education. It works because, otherwise, you won't survive. It is a perfect world for communism, because in that harsh environment, unless everyone pitches in, it won't work, and they are all raised knowing that. dun dun dun. UNTIL this young man proves to be a genius. of course, he does great things. And the planet this moon orbits gets wind of his amazing talents... and so he's sucked into the depths of THEIR society.

Serious must read. I adore Ursula LeGuin. Look her up if you're not familiar. I have to be in the mood to read her, but she's wonderful.

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@AlexisSims - Please give this a try :

http://www.wattpad.com/3252283-the-alpha-and-omega-of-magic

Its FANTASY | ROMANCE | MYSTERY.

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Thanks guys, I have got some great tips!

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"I would read Dune, but i have such a limited attention span, and am a slow reader. My days of reading 500 page novels were over in my teens. "

*Raises Hand* Audiobook.Very well dune. You won't be touching Stormlight then. 1000 pages in the first book.

Wheel of Time 1-2 weren't bad either. Just a bit awkward and slow paced. I kept screaming at Rand. He's obviously wants to kill you, whats wrong with you. Oh right you're an uneducated trusting sheep herder.

Mistborn doesn't blow me away anymore but going from basic wizardy to god emperors and a race of bone stealing globs of goo it was rather mind blowing. I still enjoy reading it however.

I didn't make this clear but what I liked of His Majesty's Dragon or Temmeraire was the social etiquette and conflicts and the historic setting (accurate or not i don't know.) I was just sucked into that book and would speak like the main character on occasion.

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@Sekkan - Wheel of Time was one of the last books of that length that I read.

That and Tad William's series, Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I didn't finish it though, he did me in with that 2 part 3rd book. I just don't do epic fantasy anymore. I think Williams is better than Jordan, though.

Audio book, will have to look into that for Dune. Audio books were the way I got over that hump and finished the LotRs. XD

Okay, back to books that have rocked my world.

Rant by Chuck Palahniuk - That book STILL messes with my head. From the way it's told, the education you get about various.... things, the many many twists and the general mind F*ck of it. He wrote Fight Club, btw. Also a good, twisted little book.

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Fantasy best ever list. David Eddings- Belgarion, Sparhawk. Raymond E Feist- Magician. The Richard Rahl series with Wizards First Rule, Game of Thrones ( I am still in progress with this one, up to the third book) James Maloneys Book of Lies series. Wheel of Time (although I did not complete it because it got too complicated and I lost track) The Necromancer series (although it loses quality towards the end) But the Fantasy novel that ROCKED my world was 'Legend' by David Gemmel. I came across the book in an op shop for 20 cents. I had no idea what it was about but I read it in a single sitting, I did not eat or sleep or talk. As soon as I was done I forced everyone I knew to read it. Everyone, even non readers, became a fan. I spent many an evening with a glass of red wine discussing Druss, Waylander, Morningstar, Tenaka Kahn and of course Skilgannon the Damned. Every two years or so I go back and read them all again. RIP David Gemmel.

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@AlexisSims I have Waylander and Legend sitting on a shelf. I'd heard of the Gemmel award and figured they could be terrible.

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The @Sekkan the David Gemmel award is, in my understanding, one of the highest honours fantasy writers can recieve. The last book to get it was Sandersons The Way of the Kings- it is an awesome series and a must read. I believe they are currently taking votes for the next recepient. Waylander is an amazing book and Legend is well Legendary! You MUST read it! (sorry for being bossy and demanding- but read it!)

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I suppose I must and it was Way of Kings where I heard of the award from. :)

"You should really try the jam, I made it SPECIAL !"

Anyway thanks for the recommendation.

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I hope you enjoy them it is fairly obvious I think that I did! @Sekkan

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Overqualified by Joey Comeau made me into a more spontaneous person.

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I haven;t heard of it before- what is it about? @TobyLurio

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How old are you? Most people on this site aren't ready for it. It should be read post-existential crisis. @AlexisSims

It's a series of cover letters that tell a story of a life breaking down.

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I think I am old enough I am nearly 40 ! Sounds like an interesting book. @TobyLurio

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There was this one book, quite different, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. You have probably read it. My mother insisted I read the Fountainhead too. That was a good book. Fantastic even. And you should read Elif Shafak if you have not. :) The Forty Rules of Love, The Bastard of Istanbul. The only two I have read. :) others do not come to mind at the moment. :D

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I love Crime and Punishment, it has been ages since I read it. I never read the Fountainhead but I know it is a must read. @RedBloodCell

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It is. It really is fantastic. If you ever get the chance, you must also read Elif Shafak. She really is also very brilliant. :) @AlexisSims

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